High temperature switch apparatus

Abstract

High temperature switch apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first plunger housing having a first cavity and a second plunger housing having a second cavity. The first plunger housing and the second plunger housing to couple to enclose a plunger assembly of a proximity switch. A first contact housing defines a third cavity and a second contact housing defines a fourth cavity. At least a portion of the third cavity and at least a portion of the fourth cavity are complementary to a shape of an outer surface of the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetically-triggered proximity switch comprising:
 a contact assembly including a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact;   a first deformable metallic sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end crimped to the first contact, the distal end crimped to a first conductor;   a second deformable metallic sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end crimped to the second contact, the distal end crimped to a second conductor;   a third deformable metallic sleeve including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end crimped to the third contact, the distal end crimped to a third conductor; and   a switch actuator to translate the third contact when an object is within a threshold sensing zone of the magnetically-triggered proximity switch.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact and the second contact are stationary and the third contact translates to abut the first contact and the second contact. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 2 , wherein the third contact translates to abut the first contact when the object is located within the threshold sensing zone of the magnetically-triggered proximity switch. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact, the second contact, and the third contact extend a distance external to a face of a housing. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third deformable metallic sleeves are stainless steel sleeves. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third deformable metallic sleeves are external to a face of a housing. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 1 , wherein the switch actuator includes a fork to engage the third contact and the third contact is operatively coupled to a magnet rated to withstand temperatures in a high-heat environment. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 1 , further including a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion and the second housing portion made of ceramic. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetically-triggered proximity switch of  claim 8 , wherein the first housing portion includes a protrusion and the second housing portion includes a recess to receive the protrusion. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 a primary magnet;   a biasing element;   a tab;   a flexible conductor;   a plunger having a first end coupled to the primary magnet and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the flexible conductor;   a first plunger housing;   a second plunger housing, the first plunger housing to couple to the second plunger housing to enclose at least a portion of the plunger;   a first contact housing; and   a second contact housing, the first contact housing to couple to the second contact housing to enclose at least a portion of the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first contact housing and the second contact housing enclose at least a portion of the primary magnet, the biasing element, the tab, the flexible conductor, the plunger, the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing when the first contact housing is coupled to the second contact housing. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first contact housing and the second contact housing are made of at least one of ceramic or ceramic epoxy. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing are made of at least one of ceramic or ceramic epoxy. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first plunger housing or the second plunger housing includes one or more protrusions and the other one of the first plunger housing or the second housing includes corresponding openings to receive the respective protrusions. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first contact housing has a first cavity to receive the first plunger housing and the second contact housing has a second cavity to receive the second plunger housing when the first contact housing is coupled to the second contact housing. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus including:
 a first plunger housing having a first cavity;   a second plunger housing having a second cavity, the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing to couple to enclose a plunger assembly of a proximity switch;   a first contact housing defining a third cavity; and   a second contact housing defining a fourth cavity, wherein at least a portion of the third cavity and at least a portion of the fourth cavity are complementary to a shape of an outer surface of the first plunger housing and the second plunger housing.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the first cavity and at least a portion of the second cavity are complementary to a shape of an outer surface of the plunger assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first plunger housing, the second plunger housing, the first contact housing and the fourth contact housing are composed of at least one of ceramic, ceramic epoxy, glass, polyimide, or polybenzimidazole.